Soccer: Juventus gain ground with last-gasp winner

A last-gasp goal by Juventus midfielder Mauro Camoranesi put the defending champions within four points of the Serie A summit yesterday as AC Milan and Lazio were held to draws.

Juventus, who had lost their last two league matches, against Brescia and Lazio, seemed to be doomed to another afternoon without maximum points until Camoranesi struck in stoppage time to seal a 1-0 win at Perugia.

Juventus made up valuable ground on AC Milan, who drew 0-0 with Brescia, and Lazio, held 1-1 by Bologna in Rome.

AC Milan (33 points) head the table on goal difference from rivals Inter Milan, who won 2-1 at Palma.

Lazio are third on 32, and Chievo fourth and Juventus fifth on 29.

Chievo beat bottom-placed Como 2-0 and Reggina registered their second victory of the season, 3-1 over Piacenza.

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PSV Eindhoven maintained their two-point lead at the top of the Dutch first division when they beat Vitesse Arnhem 1-0.

Wilfred Bouma's well-struck free kick produced his first goal of the season to take PSV to 42 points.

Ajax are second and Feyenoord third, a further seven points adrift.

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in the second minute for Ajax Amsterdam to set up a routine 2-0 win at Excelsior Rotterdam.

Excelsior's Dann Buijs was sent off after 36 minutes, and Finn Petri Pasanen headed Ajax's second shortly after halftime.

Feyenoord travelled to NAC Breda, but in contrast to last week's 6-1 rout of AZ Alkmaar, were held to a 1-1 draw.

The Dutch first division now takes a five-week winter break until January 31.

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A classy double from midfielder Nihat Kahveci inspired 10-man Real Sociedad to come from behind to beat bottom club Recreativo Huelva 3-1 and stretch their lead to seven points at the top of the Spanish first division.

Second-placed Valencia lost ground when they slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Deportivo La Coruna, who extended their unbeaten run to nine games.

Valencia dominated throughout, but some superb defending and a string of fine saves from Deportivo keeper Juanmi denied the home side a reward for their pressure.

In-form Dutch striker Roy Makaay grabbed the winner, and his 11th goal of the season, on 21 minutes when he slotted a well-judged shot through the legs of keeper Andres Palop.

Valencia had a chance to level when they were awarded a penalty two minutes into the second half after veteran defender Donato had tangled with striker John Carew, but Juanmi saved Pablo Aimar's poorly-hit spot kick.

Unbeaten Sociedad lead the table on 35 points, seven clear of Valencia and eight ahead of Real Madrid, who staged an impressive second-half fightback to come from two goals down to win 3-2 at Malaga.

The European champions are level on points with fourth-placed Celta Vigo, but have a game in hand on their immediate rivals.

Real Betis snatched a late 2-1 win over Osasuna, thanks to a brilliant injury-time free kick by Brazilian midfielder Marcos Assuncao, a victory that keeps them fifth.

Under-fire Barcelona coach Louis van Gaal received a major boost when he watched his side cruise to a 4-0 win over nine-man Real Mallorca, Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert grabbing a hat-trick.

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